The Observer reported that Niels de Vos, the chief executive of UK Athletics, had decided to replace Collins with the Dutchman even before Britain's performance in Beijing, where they won only only four medals, falling short of the modest target of five set by National Lottery distributor UK Sport.

 

Van Commenee was already at UK Athletics as the director of multi-events and the favourite to replace Max Jones when he retired after the Athens Olympics four years ago but withdrew from the process after growing frustrated at the length of time the interview process was taking.

 

He instead took up a position as head of performance at the Dutch Olympic Assocation and was their Chef de Mission in Beijing where they finished 12th in the medals table with 16 medals, including seven gold, their second best performance in the 112-year history of the Games.

 

He is fulfilling a similar role at the Paralympics, which open on Saturday, and his new role at UK Athletics will not be officially announced until then.

 

The 50-year-old, who took up coaching at the age of 22 following a modest career of his own, will be paid a six-figure salary to try to ensure Britain are successful in the showpiece Olympic Stadium in 2012.

 

But an official announcement about the departure of 54-year-old Collins, a former Royal Marine with no proper background in athletics, after not having his contract renewned when it expires in March could be made as early as tomorrow.

 

He will have his contract paid up in full.

 

Van Commenee, the former coach of Denise Lewis and Kelly Sotherton, has the backing of several influential figures within British athletics, including London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe, Steve Cram, chairman of the English Institute of Sport, Jonathan Edwards, a member of the 2012 Board and the European Athletics Association ruling council, and two-time Olympic decathlon champion Daley Thompson.

 

Steve Ovett, the 1980 Olympic 800 metres champion and multi world-record holder, also today threw his support behind van Commenee.

 

Collins does retain some support, however, among the athletes.

 

The Olympic 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu has given her backing to Collins, claiming the success of the team in Beijing showed he was on track.

 

She said: "I think from what I see he was doing a brilliant job, I haven't heard the criticism or negative things.

 

"He's more than capable of doing what he needs to do.

 

"He has a team around him that assists him getting the team where they need to be.

 

"It's not bad, we were a medal short on what was predicted.

 

"I don't think my performance papers over cracks.

 

"I think there were good performances, a lot of PBs (personal bests) and getting into finals of tough events."

 

To read the full article visit http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/aug/31/olympics2008.britisholympicteam.